The Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is our second-closest living relative and along with Humans, Chimpanzees and Orang-Utans, it is one of the few species that belong to the Great Apes family. Under the current classification, there are three sub-species of gorillas:
In light of recent DNA findings and physical observation, a very interesting debate has arisen on gorilla classification. Evidence suggests that there might be two distinct species of gorillas, Eastern (Gorilla beringei) and Western (Gorilla gorilla) with the Eastern specie broken down between two subspecies: Gorilla beringei graueri and Gorilla beringei beringei, the true mountain gorilla. The recognition of a new specie would help explain some of the differences found in the Eastern population, such as with the Bwindi gorillas, which appear to fit neither the graueri or beringei descriptions. For more details, please read Do We Need to Update the Taxonomy of Gorillas? from the June 96 issue of the BRD Gorilla Journal.
Due to its highly endangered status, these pages concentrate on the Mountain Gorilla. The Mountain Gorilla is typically larger than the Lowland Gorilla with longer, darker hair and a higher headcrests.
at altitudes of up to 4100 m. (13,450 ft).